NEWS:
PM Fayyad praises Palestinian nonviolent resistance at a conference on “popular struggle.” Palestinians say Israel has been systematically undermining the two-state solution through settlement activity. Palestinians say a cabinet reshuffle is being delayed until Pres.
Abbas completes some international trips. An Israeli court delays a verdict in a civil suit brought by the family of Rachel Corrie. The Knesset is considering a bill to allow itself to override rulings by the Supreme Court. Pres. Peres asks Pres. Obama to release convicted Israeli spy Pollard. Reports suggest the United States may have had a positive reaction to Abbas' letter to PM Netanyahu. Members of Congress say an award by the PA to Helen Thomas may damage US aid prospects. Newly released documents show intensive Canadian efforts to block Palestinian UN membership efforts last year. The New York Times profiles new Kadima leader Mofaz.
COMMENTARY:
Ha'aretz slams the new bill allowing a simple Knesset majority to override Supreme Court decisions, but the Jerusalem Post likes it. Sefi Rachlevsky says the controversy reflects a willingness by the current government to undermine Israeli democracy for its own purposes. Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel say some Israeli officials see the conflict in Syria as boiling down to a struggle between Al Qaeda and Iran. Gershon Baskin says Israel has a strong interest in a robust Palestinian economy. Linda Heard says, rather than adapting to changing region, Israel is becoming more bellicose and intransigent. Khaled Elgindy says it's time for a careful and cautious dialogue between the US and Hamas. Smadar Perry says Israelis are suddenly left hoping Amr Moussa wins the Egyptian presidential election. Hamid Dabashi says by declaring Günter Grass persona non grata, Israel is criminalizing poetry, but Jeffrey Goldberg says Grass trivialized the Holocaust and distorted history.
American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017